Recaps

Naruto realized Hinata had mistaken his silence for rejection and clearly confessed that he loved her. Hinata accepted his feelings, and they shared a gentle kiss, leaving their relationship closer than before.

• Hyuga Hiashi regretted putting pressure on Naruto and Hinata and worried that he had driven a wedge between them.
• Naruto and Hinata found themselves embarrassed and exposed after Naruto used Flying Thunder God to bring them home.
• Naruto accidentally saw Hinata while fetching clothes, got a nosebleed, and told her not to come closer.
• Hinata asked whether Naruto had rejected her because of her feelings or her father's pressure, and Naruto realized he had never answered her confession.
• Naruto loudly told Hinata that he liked her and wanted them to become a family, and Hinata accepted his feelings.
• Naruto asked to kiss Hinata again, and they shared a gentle kiss.

Naruto and Hinata grew closer, while Sasuke regretted sharing a room with Naruto and resolved to break their bond. Kakashi led the team toward the Land of Water to investigate the Akatsuki, encouraging Naruto to learn how to analyze missions and lead.

• Naruto and Hinata returned to the inn holding hands, and Sasuke teased them before Naruto tried to make him listen to their story.
• The next morning, Naruto greeted Hinata affectionately, prompting Sasuke to wish he could escape the team and sever his bond with Naruto.
• Kakashi and the others gathered information in Yugakure but found no useful Akatsuki leads, only reports of a missing serial killer in the Land of Hot Water.
• Kakashi led the team toward the Land of Water, where Mei Terumi said her connections and the Mizukage's recent disappearance could help their investigation.
• On the ship, Kakashi explained the mission's strategy to Naruto and urged him to develop his ability to analyze missions and lead a team.

Mei Terumi learned from Ao that Genji had been killed on the Fourth Mizukage’s orders and was warned never to return to Kirigakure. As Kakashi’s team continued its mission in the Land of Water, Konoha’s advisors tried to arrange Danzo’s escape before Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted them.

• Kirigakure’s guards stopped Mei Terumi and Kakashi’s group at the border, and Ao asked Mei to speak with him privately.
• Ao told Mei that Genji had been killed after the Fourth Mizukage ordered the suspected elders assassinated, and that Zabuza had carried out the killing before escaping.
• Ao delivered Genji’s warning that Mei should never return to Kirigakure; he kept secret Genji’s additional message urging her to return only if she would claim the Fifth Mizukage’s position.
• Mei rejoined Kakashi’s group and said they should skip Kirigakure, so Kakashi decided they would search together for a Bounty Station in the Land of Water.
• In Konoha’s prison, Danzo claimed Sarutobi had framed him and that Shisui Uchiha’s coffin had been empty; Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura offered to help him leave the village.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared behind the advisors and interrupted their plan.

The Third Hokage arrested Danzo and the two Advisors, intending to confess their crimes and pave the way for Minato to lead Konoha again. Meanwhile, Naruto’s group found a bounty station near the Land of Water, where Kakashi disguised himself as Itachi to draw out Sasuke’s reaction.

• The Third Hokage had Anbu restrain Danzo, Homura, and Koharu, then told Danzo that they would all be sacrificed for the village’s future.
• Danzo accused the Third of preparing the way for a new Hokage, and the Third confronted him over his role in Minato’s death during the Nine-Tails’ attack.
• The Third ordered Anbu to seal the Advisors’ chakra and take them away, then resolved to confess their crimes and accept blame so Minato could return as Hokage.
• Minato and Kurama discussed Naruto and Hinata’s future relationship while Naruto’s team searched for a bounty station near the Land of Water.
• Kakashi stopped the group and transformed into Itachi, prompting Sasuke to recognize his brother and Mei to understand Kakashi’s plan.

Kakashi investigated the Bounty Station while disguised as Uchiha Itachi, then set up a watch near it to track the Akatsuki. He left the group expecting the false information he had planted to draw out anyone still active in the Land of Water.

• Kakashi disguised as Uchiha Itachi and entered the Bounty Station through a concealed entrance in a public toilet.
• Kakashi learned that Mei Terumi had a bounty of 50 million ryo and confirmed that Genji's bounty had been removed.
• Kakashi noticed a new arrival carrying a bound person, then left and returned to his team after ensuring no one followed him.
• Kakashi summoned Pakkun and assigned him to watch the area for anyone wearing the Akatsuki's red-cloud cloak.
• Kakashi explained to Naruto that he had planted false information and flaws in his disguise to lure the Akatsuki into revealing themselves.

Sasuke asked Kakashi to teach him how to fight Uchiha Itachi, and Kakashi gave him the reforged sword White Fang. Mei Terumi tried to recruit Kakashi to help change Kirigakure, but he refused, and the chapter ended with Naruto emerging from the bushes after eavesdropping.

• Sasuke asked Kakashi whether he had defeated Uchiha Itachi and said he wanted to learn anything that could kill him.
• Kakashi gave Sasuke his father’s reforged sword, White Fang, and promised to teach him how to use it.
• Mei Terumi asked Kakashi to leave Konoha and help her stop the Fourth Mizukage from returning Kirigakure to the Bloody Mist Village.
• Kakashi refused, saying that everything he cared about was in Konoha, and Mei Terumi left disappointed.
• Kakashi called out someone hiding nearby, and Naruto emerged from the bushes, admitting he had been eavesdropping.

Kakashi refused to help Mei Terumi pursue her personal conflict with the Mizukage, and she stayed with the group as they traveled toward the Land of Water’s exit. When Kakashi’s team encountered Akatsuki members Kakuzu and Hidan, the two bounty hunters attacked, setting up a fight.

• Naruto asked Kakashi whether they would help Mei Terumi, and Kakashi warned that interference could break Konoha’s alliance with Kirigakure and risk war.
• Mei Terumi remained with the group and watched Kakashi train Sasuke while they continued traveling and gathering information in villages.
• Pakkun told Naruto that their targets had finally appeared near the Bounty Station, and Kakashi’s team confronted Kakuzu and Hidan.
• Kakuzu identified the group by their bounties, while Hidan charged at them with his scythe in the name of Lord Jashin.

Sasuke attacked Hidan and pierced his heart with a lightning blade, but Hinata discovered Hidan was still alive. As Hidan struck back and Kakuzu launched a fire technique, Naruto used Flying Thunder God to whisk Sasuke away.

• Sasuke blocked Hidan’s scythe, baited him into losing his balance, and stabbed him through the heart with his lightning-wreathed sword.
• Sasuke taunted Kakuzu, but Hinata warned him that Hidan had not died.
• Hidan attacked Sasuke with a Black Rod, and Sasuke traded a pierced palm for a slash at Hidan’s head.
• Naruto appeared behind Sasuke and teleported them away as Kakuzu’s masked monster unleashed a fire attack.

Mei Terumi and Kakashi overwhelmed Kakuzu, while Naruto repeatedly battered the immortal Hidan to stop him from completing a Jashin ritual. The battle left Kakuzu apparently dead but with black tendrils moving beneath his corpse, and Mei Terumi stunned by Naruto’s strength.

• Mei Terumi submerged Kakuzu with Water Release, and Kakashi pierced his heart with a Lightning Blade before cutting off his head.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to bring Sasuke back to the group, where Hinata treated his wounds.
• Hidan began drawing a Jashin sacrificial symbol, but Naruto repeatedly kicked and struck him to interrupt the ritual.
• Naruto created a Shadow Clone to taunt Hidan, who lamented that he had believed Naruto’s nonsense.
• Sasuke watched Naruto’s fight in silence, while Mei Terumi realized Naruto was far stronger than she had expected.
• Black tendrils burrowed into the ground beneath Kakuzu’s headless corpse.

Naruto captured Hidan and brought him back to Konoha while Kakashi reported that Kakuzu had escaped, leaving only his head behind. Konoha’s leaders learned of the capture and sent Hidan to Ibiki for interrogation, where Hidan found the torture room oddly nostalgic.

• Kakashi showed the others Kakuzu’s head and explained that Kakuzu had escaped by shedding his body.
• Naruto revealed that Hidan was pinned beneath a boulder and had his Shadow Clones gather Hidan’s scattered body parts for sealing.
• The Third Hokage and Konoha’s Jonin discussed the limited intelligence they had gathered about the Akatsuki.
• Namiashi Raidō burst into the Hokage Office and reported that Naruto had captured an Akatsuki member and brought him to Konoha.
• Ibiki prepared to interrogate Hidan, who recalled the Jashin Cult’s similar surroundings and regretted joining the Akatsuki.

Hidan remained in Konoha's custody while Pain warned the Akatsuki that someone in Konoha was targeting the organization. Pain then shifted the Akatsuki's plans, deciding to exploit Orochimaru's scheme at Konoha's joint Chunin Exams to attack Konoha and capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

• Ibiki Morino struck Hidan's suspended head, but Hidan enjoyed the pain and complained about being freed from a rock.
• Zetsu told the Akatsuki that Kakuzu had been injured and Hidan captured after their encounter with Kakashi and Mei Terumi in the Land of Water.
• Pain warned the gathered members that Konoha was taking targeted action against the Akatsuki and ordered them to stay alert.
• Itachi noted that Pain had not mentioned Kirigakure and believed Kakuzu's encounter would help remove suspicion from him.
• Pain asked Sasori about Orochimaru's plan, learned it would take place in less than a year during Konoha's Three-Village Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, and decided to use it to attack Konoha and seize the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto searched the Land of Water for Jiraiya and Tsunade while Kakashi told Mei Terumi that their next lead pointed to the Land of Wind. Mei decided to join Konoha as a Jonin and continue the mission with Kakashi, leaving him stunned by the consequences of his advice.

• Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto questioned villagers about Jiraiya and Tsunade but found no one who had seen them.
• Hinata explained that Jiraiya and Tsunade might be considered as candidates for the next Hokage because of their contributions to Konoha.
• Kakashi told Mei Terumi that Hidan had identified himself as the serial killer from the Land of Hot Water and had heard of an Akatsuki team operating in the Land of Wind.
• Mei Terumi misunderstood Kakashi's farewell as confirmation that he had accepted her as a Konoha companion and announced she would join Konoha as a Jonin.
• Mei Terumi ran off to continue the mission with Kakashi, who was left shocked that he seemed to be bringing a dangerous new recruit to Konoha.

Naruto and his companions boarded a suspicious ship after its captain claimed to know Jiraiya and their destination, the Former Land of Whirlpools. The crew planned to drug and ambush them, but Naruto’s group had already seen through the scheme, while a Grass ninja party waited on the island with a red-haired girl who knew the area.

• The captain told Naruto that the island they would visit had once belonged to the Land of Whirlpools, which had been destroyed in a war.
• That night, the captain and his crew revealed they planned to drug Naruto and his companions, then ambush them with hired ninja on the island.
• Naruto revealed that he had replaced the crew’s meals with takeout ramen from Konoha, while Kakashi and the others admitted they had boarded despite recognizing the ship as a pirate vessel.
• The Grass Ninja Leader questioned a red-haired girl about other places the targets could come ashore, and she said the ambush site was where she had escaped the Land of Whirlpools.

Karin recalled how the Grass Ninja exploited her and her mother before joining an ambush on a ship arriving at the Land of Whirlpools. The ship crashed through the Grass Ninja’s traps, and two boys appeared at its bow, arguing about who had steered it.

• Karin remembered how the Grass Ninja had used her mother as a source of healing chakra until she died, and how they continued to exploit Karin’s inherited ability.
• Kusagakure’s leader ordered his ninja to ambush a ship carrying targets from a major village, while Karin sensed their forces waiting along the coast.
• The ship sped toward shore without slowing, triggering the Grass Ninja’s traps and crushing several of them as it plowed through the ambush.
• The Grass Ninja surrounded the stopped ship, and Karin was brought along in case they needed her.
• Two boys appeared at the bow and argued about who had failed to steer the ship as Karin stared at them in disbelief.

Naruto and Sasuke ambushed the Grass Ninja who had been sent after them, while Karin watched from the boat. Sasuke spared Karin, then rescued her from a Grass Ninja who used her healing ability as he prepared to escape.

• The Grass Ninja Leader ordered his men to attack Naruto and Sasuke, but Sasuke and Naruto quickly took down the attackers with fire techniques, lightning-enhanced sword strikes, and a Rasengan.
• Sasuke noticed Karin seemed unlike the other Grass Ninja and spared her while defeating the chunin beside her.
• The wounded chunin seized Karin and bit her to heal himself with her chakra, then held her hostage and demanded Sasuke surrender his sword.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan to make the chunin collapse, severed the hand gripping Karin, and called him a third-rate ninja.

After Naruto and Sasuke defeated the Grass Ninja who had captured Karin, Naruto learned that she belonged to the Uzumaki Clan like his mother. As the group prepared to leave, Minato urged Naruto through Kurama to mark the ruins and visit the clan’s ancestral shrine alone.

• Naruto and Sasuke defeated the Grass Ninja leader and his men, freeing Karin.
• Sasuke told Naruto that Karin was from the Uzumaki Clan, and Kurama explained her connection to Naruto’s mother, Kushina.
• Naruto asked Karin her name, age, and birthday, then realized she was older than him.
• Kakashi reported that the Grass Ninja had lured them to the Land of Whirlpools with false information and suggested Naruto visit the ruins.
• Kurama relayed Minato’s request that Naruto leave a Flying Thunder God Mark at the ruins and later visit the Uzumaki Clan’s ancestral shrine alone.

After returning to Konoha, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata watched a movie that featured Naruto in compromising scenes, which he explained had been staged with a double. Later, Naruto and Minato searched the ruins of Uzushiogakure and found the Uzumaki Clan's Shrine, where they discovered Shinigami Masks and suspected the Reaper Death Seal scroll was hidden.

• Kakashi took Mei Terumi and Karin to meet the Hokage while Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata stayed behind.
• Naruto persuaded Sasuke and Hinata to watch his movie, then tried to explain the scenes of him embracing and kissing Kazahana Koyuki.
• Hinata reassured Naruto that she knew the scenes were not real, while Sasuke teased him and slipped away.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to reach the Land of Whirlpools, where Minato controlled one of his shadow clones to search alongside him.
• Naruto and Minato reached Uzushiogakure's ruined Uzumaki Clan Shrine and found a wall covered in Shinigami Masks.

Minato found the Uzumaki scroll explaining that releasing the Reaper Death Seal required the caster to sacrifice their life, forcing him to reconsider who could perform it. Meanwhile, Mei Terumi openly asked Konoha to help her seize power in Kirigakure, shocking Hiruzen and Kakashi.

• Naruto found the ancient scroll about the Reaper Death Seal, and Minato discovered that releasing it required the caster to cut open their own belly and die.
• Minato ruled out having Naruto release the seal, then returned the shadow clone's control to Naruto and told him to take a mask and leave.
• Minato told the Nine-Tails about the release method, and the Nine-Tails suggested asking Orochimaru to do it.
• Kakashi waited outside the Interrogation Department after Hiruzen rejected Mei Terumi's request to join Konoha.
• Mei told Hiruzen and Kakashi that she wanted Konoha's help to seize power in Kirigakure, leaving Hiruzen stunned.

Mei Terumi passed Konoha's screening and was granted a temporary advisor position, while the Third Hokage handled Karin's recovery and other matters. Naruto took command of a year-long mission to the Land of Wind with Sasuke, Hinata, and Mei Terumi as Kakashi stayed behind and headed to meet a crow belonging to Uchiha Itachi.

• The Third Hokage sent Mei Terumi to the Interrogation Department, where Ibiki cleared her after a day of questioning, and the Third decided to let her stay in Konoha under observation.
• The Third Hokage arranged for Karin to recover in the hospital and continued handling Konoha's affairs as Kakashi noticed how much he had aged.
• Kakashi invited Mei Terumi to his home for a meal, where she told him Ibiki had suggested she marry into Konoha as the fastest way to join.
• Kakashi announced that the special operation would last a year and that Naruto would lead Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, and Jutsu advisor Mei Terumi to the Land of Wind to search for the Akatsuki.
• Kakashi warned Naruto to keep an eye on Mei Terumi, briefed Hinata on the route, and watched the team leave for the Land of Wind.
• Kakashi set off for an unmarked patch of woods, where a crow belonging to Uchiha Itachi waited on a branch.

Uchiha Izumi captured a Sand Shinobi patrol searching for travelers who had vanished in the Land of Wind, then ordered her young Uchiha followers to remove the prisoners’ memories and relocate them. Meanwhile, Maki welcomed Naruto, Mei Terumi, and their companions to the Land of Wind and offered Sunagakure’s help in investigating the Akatsuki.

• Uchiha Izumi trapped a Sand Shinobi captain in her Sharingan genjutsu and defeated him after his patrol disappeared around him.
• Taro Uchiha and the other children brought the captured Sand Shinobi to Izumi, who ordered them to erase the prisoners’ memories and send them elsewhere as before.
• Izumi praised Taro, then worried privately about how much longer she could hold out as she watched the children leave.
• Maki greeted Naruto and his companions at the Land of Wind border and mistakenly assumed Mei Terumi was their team leader.
• Maki explained that Sunagakure would investigate the area around its village itself and that the Kazekage had authorized cooperation and access to most of the Land of Wind for the Akatsuki investigation.

Mei Terumi questioned the Fourth Kazekage’s unusual concern about the Akatsuki, then offered to teach Sasuke Ninjutsu after noticing his unease about Naruto’s strength. Naruto helped Hinata practice absorbing natural energy, and the chapter ended with the two affirming their feelings for each other.

• Mei Terumi wondered whether the Fourth Kazekage was genuinely tracking the Akatsuki or merely trying to appease Konoha.
• Maki arranged lodging for the group in a nearby town after escorting them there.
• Mei Terumi approached Sasuke during his training, offered to teach him Ninjutsu, and prompted him to accept so he could narrow the gap with Naruto.
• Naruto helped Hinata practice absorbing natural energy, but she struggled to master Fox Sage Mode through her own strength.
• Naruto reassured Hinata, and the two blushed as they said they were happy to be together as lovers.

Kakashi traveled to a secret rendezvous after the Third Hokage revealed that Konoha had an undercover agent in the Akatsuki, whom Kakashi suspected was Uchiha Itachi. Itachi had sent the message “[Send Kakashi Hatake]” because Shisui’s absence gave him a chance to pass intelligence to Konoha.

• The Third Hokage told Kakashi that an Akatsuki member had contacted him and ordered Kakashi to go to the rendezvous point.
• Kakashi recalled fighting Uchiha Itachi and considered how Sasuke might react if he learned the truth about Itachi.
• Itachi had tried to use Tsukuyomi to share intelligence with Kakashi, but Kakashi’s swordsmanship forced him to abandon the plan and escape under the cover of a hostage.
• Itachi learned that Shisui was absent from the Akatsuki meeting and recognized an opportunity to contact Konoha.
• Itachi sent the Third Hokage a single instruction: “[Send Kakashi Hatake].”

Kakashi received Itachi’s intelligence about the Akatsuki, but learning that Obito was among its members left him badly shaken. After asking about Sasuke, Itachi departed and left Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami crow with Kakashi.

• Itachi formed a Bird Clone before Kakashi and reported that the Akatsuki planned to capture the tailed beasts, naming its leader as Pain, who possessed the Rinnegan.
• Itachi identified the Fourth Mizukage, Orochimaru, Shisui, and Obito among the Akatsuki’s members, and Kakashi was stunned by the revelations about the Mizukage and Obito.
• Itachi said the Akatsuki had ordered its members to hide and warned Kakashi that its apparent base was a trapped decoy.
• Kakashi repeatedly dispelled his Shadow Clones while struggling to accept that Obito was alive and involved with the Akatsuki.
• Itachi asked whether Sasuke was doing well, and Kakashi described Sasuke’s daily life, training, and qualities as a comrade and Konoha ninja.
• Itachi thanked Kakashi, scattered into Crows, and left Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami crow on Kakashi’s hand.

Naruto and the others finished searching the Land of Wind for signs of the Akatsuki without finding any, then took Maki’s suggestion to explore a village market. Naruto and Hinata wandered among the caravan stalls, where a red-haired songstress began singing a song about Rōran.

• Maki led Naruto and the others to the last village on their Land of Wind itinerary.
• Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, and the others compared their findings and concluded the Akatsuki had likely left the Land of Wind.
• Maki suggested they spend a couple of days exploring the village, and Naruto agreed after Sasuke reminded him not to forget their search.
• Maki brought Naruto and Hinata to a busy market where caravans had gathered during the sandstorms.
• Naruto and Hinata browsed the stalls together, and a red-haired songstress sang nearby about Rōran.

Naruto and Hinata met Sara, the former queen of Rōran, after she recognized Naruto as someone resembling an old acquaintance. Sara invited Naruto and his companions to dinner, leaving Naruto wondering whether she had known his father.

• Naruto haggled with a merchant over a shuriken-shaped hairpin for Hinata, drawing Sara and her daughter Rōran's attention when they heard his name.
• Sara recognized Naruto as Uzumaki Naruto, introduced herself and Rōran, and invited him and his companions to a meal.
• Naruto's group fetched Maki, Sasuke, and Mei Terumi, then joined Sara in the village's only restaurant with a private dining room.
• Maki asked about the legendary Ancient Kingdom of Roran, and Sara revealed that she had been its last queen before forming a caravan with her people.
• Mei asked how Sara knew Naruto, and Sara explained that he resembled an old acquaintance; Naruto wondered if she had known his father and asked Kurama to let him speak.